Kia ora and welcome back everyone to the new school year.

Children and teachers have settled quickly into learning back at school and it has been a pleasure seeing children engaged with each other and their teachers over the first three days.

Unfortunately due to the power outage and fire concerns in the Cass Bay area yesterday we made the call to postpone the planned welcome back to parents evening last night.  This has been re-scheduled for Wednesday 14th February.  Please feel welcome to come along to meet all the teachers, hear from the principal, have input into our main learning inquiries for the year and visit the learning spaces for a general overview of the year. 

• Refreshments and nibbles from 6:30am. 
  
• Meeting upstairs in Totara 7pm
  
• Learning Space Overview  7:30pm - 8:00pm
  
• Learning Space Overview (repeat) 8:00pm - 8:30pm
  

 You will be aware that the Minister of Education Chris Hipkins announced last year that schools will no longer be required to report on the National Standards. We look forward to being involved with the sector and the MOE in any replacement and will keep you informed of developments. 

If you haven't booked your time slots for the learning conferences next Wednesday or Thursday please access the booking form here or come and see Rita. Next week's meetings are an opportunity for teachers to listen to you and find out more about your child, their interests, passions and experiences and to help set the scene for a positive and successful year or learning.

We are planning on creating a stunning logo for each of our Ngā Uara (values). Children's voice and ideas are being used for these and all children have the opportunity to participate in our school values logo competition which has been shared in the learning spaces this week. To find out more ask your child or their teachers or come and see some of the examples in the learning spaces. 

Check out the information here on how you can use the 'Seesaw' app to engage with your child's learning at school. Many parents are already underway with this and we can get you signed up at the meetings next week.  

BYOD (bring your own device) is available for children in Raupo or Totara and we strongly encourage families to consider this option for 2018. Find out more here.

Sushi orders are available starting next Wednesday. Please get any orders to the office by Monday 3pm.

Have an enjoyable weekend.

Ka kite ano

Brendan